Mutated butterflies found near Fukushima

Researchers found dozens of mutated butterflies near the site of the nuclear accident in Fukushima, prompting officials to say it’s the first sign of damage to the ecosystem.

According to NBC News, researcher Joji Otaki of the University of Ryukyus found mutation in roughly 12 percent of 144 commonly-found pale grass blue butterflies collected two months after the March 2011 disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Even more alarming, researcher said the mutation increased to 28 percent six months later and more than 50 percent of the offspring showed some signs of mutation.

“Since we’ve seen these effects on butterflies, it’s easy to imagine that it would also have affected other species as well,” Otaki said. “It’s pretty clear that something has gone wrong with the ecosystem.”

A group of five nuclear plants suffered damage after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake knocked out power and a tsunami flooded back up generators at the plants. The lack of power allowed for three reactors to overheat, releasing radiation into the surrounding area.